The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev to their organization. The announcement represents a significant addition to the league's roster. Details about the contract terms or Chimaev's schedule with RAF are not provided in the original report.
The RAF wrestling league has officially announced the signing of Khamzat Chimaev, adding the ranked UFC middleweight contender to its roster. The organization confirmed the move on April 19, 2026, though no details regarding contract terms or a schedule for Chimaev's participation were included in the announcement.
Chimaev, known by his nickname "Borz," carries a professional MMA record of 15-1-0 and currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, with a place at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old, who competes out of the United Arab Emirates and trains at Allstars Training Center in Sweden, is one of the more complete fighters in the sport. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he operates out of an orthodox stance and has built his reputation on a suffocating blend of wrestling and striking. He lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, while also averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — a rate that reflects the relentless pressure he brings to every bout.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the number-one ranked middleweight in the UFC, making his involvement a notable profile boost for the RAF wrestling league.
- His elite-level grappling credentials, including nearly 1.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes, translate directly to a wrestling competition format.
- The move raises questions about how his commitments with RAF may interact with his standing and activity inside the UFC's middleweight division.
- No timeline or competitive schedule with RAF has been confirmed, leaving the scope of his participation unclear.
